Daily Inspiration: Meet Terra Andrews

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terra Andrews.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a self-taught artist and former elementary school teacher. In the spring of 2021, my family moved from Savannah to Atlanta, Georgia. This has been an opportunity for me to step away from teaching and focus solely on creative endeavors. More and more, I find inspiration to paint and draw the natural beauty I see in the world around me, even in the middle of the city. In fact, with living in such an urban environment, I have become almost hyper-focused on observing and identifying with the smallest of natural details and then sharing that with others through my artwork. I hope to continue to spread joy through my nature-inspired art for many years to come.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I was and still am deeply connected to identifying as an educator, and a teacher professionally. Being able to say “I am an artist” has truly been my biggest challenge as I’ve transitioned into the art world. I’ve always loved crafts and photography as hobbies, but never saw myself as an artist. Definitely not a painter! Since childhood, I’ve had a habit of framing landscape photo shots in my mind, thinking “That would make a great picture,” but only as a wishful thought. As an elementary school teacher, my third-grade students used to love joking about my attempts to draw stick figures and would often sarcastically say, “You could so be the art teacher! Haha!” Truth was, I never really tried to draw and paint those landscapes I always pictured in my mind. I assumed that it was a talent beyond my capabilities.

My craft business, Andrews Craft Arts, came to be during the pandemic as my crafting hobbies became more prolific while sheltering at home. I began making jewelry and painted earrings during that time. Originally, I crafted a variety of jewelry and home decor. One day my daughter introduced me as a “craft artist” to a new friend and I was deeply touched to be recognized as such. It was a bit of a paradigm shift. In December of 2021, I underwent carpal tunnel surgery for both my hands simultaneously. While recovering, making small intricate movements was next to impossible for the jewelry crafting and painting that I was then creating. Out of boredom and frustration, I decided one day to try painting a watercolor landscape. While these first attempts at painting were rough to say the least, it was the first time I saw the landscapes I pictured in my mind and photographed come to fruition as artwork that I created. It was both eye-opening and inspiring. I was determined to practice, learn more, and continue to improve. I started taking pictures of and sketching flowers that I observed on walks through my neighborhood and experimenting with acrylics. I sold my first small painting in May of 2022. I had my first market event in July 2022 that featured only my sketches and paintings. I sold my first large painting in October of 2022. Still, I identified with “I draw and paint some.” I felt like a fraud somehow to say, “I am an artist.” I didn’t know enough, I hadn’t sold enough, and my work wasn’t “artsy” enough.

This year, I decided that I would never truly be “enough” until I first embraced the artist that I have worked so hard to become. I started forcing out, “I am an artist” no matter how uncomfortable and awkward it felt. I intentionally listened to artists’ podcasts and followed several on social media. I heard and identified with their stories. I realized that we all, as ARTISTS, have our own unique paths to follow. My path in coming to and becoming an artist later in life and self-taught didn’t need some sort of extra validation or level of commercial success in order to be embraced. I am learning, growing, and evolving every day AS AN ARTIST with every piece that I create. I can work towards future goals of improvement while embracing who I currently am as an artist.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work primarily with acrylics or graphite with colored pencils depicting botanical subjects. My artwork is inspired from the flowers and plants I observe mostly within the urban environment surrounding me here in Atlanta. So much of the time in our lives are spent seeking perfection defined by how well we fit into societal norms and expectations. When you look at nature, while similar, no two flowers or leaves are exactly alike or “perfect.” The beauty of all the natural creations surrounding us lies within in the uniqueness, or “imperfections,” of each one within the whole. Through my paintings and sketches, I explore the intricacies and colors of nature while challenging myself to not seek perfection, but rather show the beauty of being perfectly imperfect.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Most recently, I have been listening to “The Create! Podcast” hosted by Ekaterina Popova. I started listening to this podcast to learn from others more about the world of contemporary art and some of the business of art. The podcast is definitely informative, but what I’ve really identified with is hearing other artists tell their stories. It has helped me recognize my journey into art, while still new and later in life, is no less valid.

Contact Info:

• Website: AndrewsCraftArts.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/AndrewsCraftArts